Günter Fronzeck
Encyclopedia
Günter Fronzeck, born 29 September 1937, is a former association football player who played for 1. FC Magdeburg
and predecessor SC Aufbau Magdeburg in East Germany's top flight, the DDR-Oberliga
. He won three national cup titles with his team.
Defender and defensive midfielder Fronzeck joined Oberliga side SC Aufbau in 1963, almost 26 years old. He had played for the second-biggest football force in the city, BSG Turbine Magdeburg
, beginning play in the fourth tier Bezirksliga Magdeburg. During his time there, Turbine won promotion to the third-tier 2nd DDR-Liga in 1959, and the second-tier DDR-Liga
in 1962.
Fronzeck had his greatest success with his new club, though. At the end of his first season Fronzeck played in the final of the FDGB-Pokal, East German's national cup competition. Playing as a left midfielder, he helped his team beat favorites SC Leipzig 3–2. One year later, the Magdeburg side reached the final again, beating SC Motor Jena
2–1, with Fronzeck playing center back. After an unsuccessful 1965–66 season that ended in the club's relegation, Fronzeck had to play in the second-tier DDR-Liga again. He appeared in 26 of the 30 matches and saw his team return to the Oberliga immediately. After a respectable third place in the 1967–68 season and a successful 1968–69 season that saw the club fight for the championship until the final matchday — Magdeburg finished third again — Fronzeck won his final title. 1. FC Magdeburg beat FC Karl-Marx-Stadt
4–0 to win their third FDGB-Pokal, with Fronzeck filling the rightback position.
By winning the cup, Magdeburg had qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup as well. During Fronzeck's time, the club played thirteen matches on European level, with Fronzeck appearing in ten of them. The club went furthest in the 1965-66 season when they met holders West Ham United in the quarter-finals. Fronzeck played in both matches that saw Magdeburg eliminated 1–2 on aggregate.
When 34-years-old Fronzeck ended his active career after the 1971–72 season, he had played in 201 competitive matches for SC Aufbau and 1. FC Magdeburg. Among those were 137 Oberliga matches and 28 FDGB-Pokal matches. As he was a defensive player, he only scored 8 goals.
1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg is a German association football club playing in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt.-History:Football has been played in Magdeburg since the end of the 19th century. On 15 June 1896 SV Victoria 96 Magdeburg was founded, a club that had its best days before World War II, when it participated...
and predecessor SC Aufbau Magdeburg in East Germany's top flight, the DDR-Oberliga
DDR-Oberliga
The DDR-Oberliga was, prior to German reunification in 1990, the elite level of football competition in the DDR , being roughly equivalent to the Oberliga or Bundesliga in West Germany.-Overview:Following World...
. He won three national cup titles with his team.
Defender and defensive midfielder Fronzeck joined Oberliga side SC Aufbau in 1963, almost 26 years old. He had played for the second-biggest football force in the city, BSG Turbine Magdeburg
Fortuna Magdeburg
SV Fortuna Magdeburg is a German association football club from the city of Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt. The club was founded 1 August 1911 as Magdeburger Fußball-Verein Fortuna 1911...
, beginning play in the fourth tier Bezirksliga Magdeburg. During his time there, Turbine won promotion to the third-tier 2nd DDR-Liga in 1959, and the second-tier DDR-Liga
DDR-Liga
The DDR-Liga was, prior to German reunification in 1990, the second level of football competition in the DDR , being roughly equivalent to the Bundesliga in West Germany.-1950-1955:The league was established with two divisions of ten teams each in 1950...
in 1962.
Fronzeck had his greatest success with his new club, though. At the end of his first season Fronzeck played in the final of the FDGB-Pokal, East German's national cup competition. Playing as a left midfielder, he helped his team beat favorites SC Leipzig 3–2. One year later, the Magdeburg side reached the final again, beating SC Motor Jena
FC Carl Zeiss Jena
FC Carl Zeiss Jena is a German association football club based in Jena, Thuringia.-History:The club was founded in May 1903 by workers at the Carl Zeiss AG optics factory as the company-sponsored Fussball-Club der Firma Carl Zeiss. The club underwent name changes in 1911 to Fussball Club Carl Zeiss...
2–1, with Fronzeck playing center back. After an unsuccessful 1965–66 season that ended in the club's relegation, Fronzeck had to play in the second-tier DDR-Liga again. He appeared in 26 of the 30 matches and saw his team return to the Oberliga immediately. After a respectable third place in the 1967–68 season and a successful 1968–69 season that saw the club fight for the championship until the final matchday — Magdeburg finished third again — Fronzeck won his final title. 1. FC Magdeburg beat FC Karl-Marx-Stadt
Chemnitzer FC
Chemnitzer FC is a German association football club based in Chemnitz, Saxony.The roots of the club go back to its establishment as Chemnitzer BC 1933 in 1933 after the collapse of former Chemnitzer BC 1899....
4–0 to win their third FDGB-Pokal, with Fronzeck filling the rightback position.
By winning the cup, Magdeburg had qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup as well. During Fronzeck's time, the club played thirteen matches on European level, with Fronzeck appearing in ten of them. The club went furthest in the 1965-66 season when they met holders West Ham United in the quarter-finals. Fronzeck played in both matches that saw Magdeburg eliminated 1–2 on aggregate.
When 34-years-old Fronzeck ended his active career after the 1971–72 season, he had played in 201 competitive matches for SC Aufbau and 1. FC Magdeburg. Among those were 137 Oberliga matches and 28 FDGB-Pokal matches. As he was a defensive player, he only scored 8 goals.
Honors
- FDGB-Pokal: 3
- Winner 1964, 1965, 1969